Lipika Sharma
The International Anti-Fur Coalition applauded Israel’s announcement of a ban on the sale of fur in the fashion industry, calling it the “first entire nation” to ban the sale of fur to the fashion industry.
After an overwhelming 86 percent of Israelis voted in favor of the bill, Israel’s Minister of Environmental Protection, Gila Gamliel, signed it into law. This victory, above all, belongs to the animals- rabbits, minks, foxes, and other fragile species that suffer and are slaughtered for human vanity.
The director of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) has the power to issue licenses for the import and export of wild animal fur. The amendment to Wildlife Protection Law, which Gamliel signed Wednesday, limits the INPA director’s maneuvering room but allows him to continue issuing permits if the pelts are to be used for “religious tradition, scientific research, education, or teaching.”
Ultra-Orthodox Jews, who frequently wear cake-shaped sable hats known as shtreimels on Shabbat and holidays, are excluded from this loophole, but importers will now need to seek special permits. The hats, which are made from the tails of sables and foxes, may cost up to $5,000.
PETA’s comment
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an animal rights organization, have called for other countries to follow suit on health grounds. “This cruel and backward industry causes horrific suffering to all animals,” noted Halevy, whose organization has been working on this for over a decade. Killing animals for fur should be made illegal everywhere, and governments all over the world should prohibit the sale of fur. This historic win will safeguard countless foxes, minks, rabbits, and other animals from being mercilessly killed for their skin.”
According to the Humane Society, over one hundred million animals are farmed and slaughtered on intensive fur farms every year to supply the fashion industry, while unknown millions are trapped and killed in the wild for their fur, primarily in the United States, Canada, and Russia.[1]
Covid-19 and the Fur Industry
Minks and other fur-bearing animals are usually kept in tiny wire cages. Many don’t have enough space to turn around or even completely stretch out, and the living conditions they’re forced to endure are filthy. Animals on fur farms frequently self-mutilate or cannibalize their cagemates as a result of extreme stress. Veterinary care is rarely provided to injured animals in the fur industry. It’s no wonder that the dreadful conditions in fur factory farms have resulted in an increasing number of countries experiencing mink COVID-19 outbreaks. This new and terrible menace is just one more reason why PETA and humane people all around the world are calling for a ban on the worldwide fur trade immediately.
Six countries including Denmark and the United States have reported new coronavirus infections related to mink farms. After receiving a warning that a viral mutation had transferred from minks to humans and infected 12 individuals, Denmark instituted strict measures in the country. Copenhagen has ordered the slaughter of all 15-17 million minks in the country, warning that the mutation could jeopardize the efficiency of any future vaccine.
Other similar steps
California banned the selling and manufacturing of fur for fashion in 2019.[2] In 2003, the United Kingdom prohibited the production of fur, although it continues to allow the import and sale of animal products.[3] Fur-free policies have also been adopted by fashion brands such as Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Burberry, Versace, and Armani.
References:
[1] The Fur Trade, Humane Society International, https://www.hsi.org/news-media/fur-trade/.
[2] Victory! California Becomes the First State to Ban Fur Sales, PETA, https://www.peta.org/blog/california-fur-ban-victory/.
[3] The Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act, 2000, UK Parliament.
